4 Safety tips when doing water-sports on Holiday
4 safety tips when doing water sports on holiday
Holidays are the perfect time to try new activities, and water sports are a particularly popular activity when visiting coastal resorts and sunny climates. But before you throw yourself into surfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, snorkelling or any other water-based activity, it's vital that you know how to stay safe in the water. Here are our four best safety tips to keep in mind when doing water sports on holiday.
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1. Teach kids how to perform safe self-rescue
Safe self-rescue is the process of getting oneself to safety in the event of becoming stranded in a body of water. Self-rescue skills include flotation using the natural buoyancy of the body, treading water, signalling for help, and adopting the Heat Lessening Escape Position (HELP).
It's important that children learn self-rescue skills before doing water sports on holiday so that they know what to do should they get into trouble in the water. 86% of swimmers in year 6 can perform safe self-rescue in water and although this is an impressive figure, it would be far better at 100%.
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2. Check weather forecasts frequently
Bodies of water can quickly become dangerous during rainy, windy, stormy or foggy conditions. It's important to check weather forecasts before doing water sports to make sure you won't get caught out by a sudden change in the weather. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast throughout the day in case it changes, particularly if you're visiting a region with notoriously changeable weather. If poor weather is forecast when you plan to do water sports, change your plans. It isn't worth risking your safety for the sake of maintaining your holiday schedule.
3. Do not combine alcohol and water sports
Alcohol is often a factor that contributes to a poor risk assessment before heading into open water, because it actively reduces our inhibitions. Plus, alcohol can impact our balance and coordination, which increases the risk of us having an accident. It's vital that you avoid alcohol before doing water sports, so save the drinks until the activity is over.
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4. Check equipment carefully before every use
If you're doing water sports without the support of an instructor or expert, it's imperative that you thoroughly check your equipment before use. Look for signs of damage or wear and tear that could lead to improper functioning. If you spot any problems, get repairs done promptly and don't risk using faulty equipment. You should check your equipment before every single use, just in case it sustained damage during its last use without you realising.
Plan ahead to stay safe in the water
The key to staying safe when doing water sports on holiday is proper planning. Provided that you have the right swimming skills, equipment, and conditions before heading out into the water, you'll be all set to have fun while keeping risks to a minimum.
